Chapter Five
When Perry unlocked the backdoor to his office, Della was following close behind. She kept her distance in order to avoid raising suspicion, the previous night and their luscious morning unmistakably written all over her face. Her eyes were sparkling, her smile smitten and broad. And although Perry had a hard time keeping his hands steady enough to finally open the door, it was his secretary who oozed satisfaction and sin.
When they entered his office, Perry took Della's coat and watched how she headed right through her office to greet Gertie at the switchboard. Almost immediately, his phone rang and Gertie connected him with Paul Drake.
"Did you find it?" Perry asked without even saying hello.
"Sure did," the private eye returned with a big smile. "And I didn't even have a look at it."
"Where did you put it?" The attorney asked with a hushed voiced, his eyes always checking the open door to Della's office. He didn't want her to overhear them.
"Next to Della's keys," Paul answered, trying hard to suppress a smirk. "Your extra set of keys. Whatever."
"Thanks, Paul," Perry Mason replied and jerked the drawer open to extract the velvet box he had once bought on an impulse, right after she had first kissed his breath away.
"Any time, pal," the detective gave back. "Let me know when I can stop by to congratulate."
Perry nodded. "Will do." Then hung up as he saw Della approaching him with an arm full of morning mail.
"Who was that?" Della asked swiftly and tossed the letters on her side of his desk with rehearsed grace.
"Only Paul," Perry gave back and grabbed her hand to stop her from escaping him. "He says hello."
Della raised her eyebrows. "No line about us showing up late?" She asked, wary of her lover's answer.
"I'm not late," the lawyer grinned mischievously. "I always come in around 10. You however, my dear Miss Street...," he added and tried to pull her into an intimate kiss. But Della stopped him ever so gently.
"Chief," she whispered more seductively than intended. "What if Gertie walks in on us? What do we say?"
"You've agreed to marry me, darling, remember?" Perry Mason did not let go off her so easily. "And a man has every right to treat his fiance to a kiss."
"That's not very professional, counselor," Della returned but failed to fight off his advances.
"I love you, Della Street," Perry looked deep into her eyes and kissed her arduously. "I want the whole world to know you are going to be my wife."
"That's hardly keeping it hushed up," his secretary tried to protest but gasped instead as he presented a black velvet box from behind his back.
"I never intended to keep our weeding hushed-up," the attorney kissed her again, her lips trembling now against his. "Private, but not hushed up."
Della felt tears dwelling up in her eyes when Perry's fingers slowly opened the box for her to reveal a diamond ring so delicate and unpretentious she couldn't help but choke up.
"Perry," she whispered, her voice shaky and almost lost.
"Do you like it?" The lawyer asked nervously and slid the ring carefully on her finger.
"It's perfect," Della sobbed and pulled her fiance into a lingering kiss, merging her tears with his. "Where did you get it? When?"
"Up in Bear Valley, from the antiques store you are so fond of," Perry answered and watched how she marveled at the proof of their engagement.
"What are the odds that it would fit?" Della shook her head in bewilderment.
"It helps to have the woman of your heart fall asleep on the office couch once in a while," Perry Mason admitted. "It also helps to know that one day you will definitely ask her to marry you."
Della looked at him with glistening eyes, her heart almost bursting. Not in her wildest dreams had she expected him to love her so much. To plan all of this ahead. To wait and find the perfect moment to sweep her off her feet. To make her feel so blessed.